Abstract:
Five New Patents Granted, Building on a Portfolio of Over 50 Applications Pending

Farfield Expands International Patent Portfolio

Crewe, UK | Posted on September 4th, 2007

Farfield Scientific Ltd (Crewe, UK) is delighted to announce it has recently been granted five further international patents related to its proprietary Dual Polarisation Interferometry (DPI) technology. Farfield prides itself in its innovative approach to using technology to provide next-generation scientific instruments to address the emerging and evolving measurement demands of 21st Century scientific progress. These latest patents are the most recent granted to Farfield from its pipeline of over 50 currently pending award. The patents granted are:

US Patent US 7,232,485 B2 describes the use of waveguides for the detection of nucleation events during the protein crystallisation process. This innovation was developed jointly with Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, UK and allows protein crystallographers to optimise the conditions required for rapid crystal growth using only very small quantities of protein.

US Patent US 7,050,176 B1 is based on Farfield's unique DPI technology for measuring changes in dimension and composition of molecules caused by changes in chemical, biological or physical stimuli.

US Patent US 7,062,110 B2 describes the unique use of DPI as a method for measuring the partition coefficient of small molecules, such as pharmaceutical compounds.

European Patent 1305606 relates to a further embodiment of DPI in a compensated sensor geometry and Japanese Patent 10-523311 covers the waveguide technology underpinning Farfield's DPI measurements. The latter is a particularly broad ranging patent, with all 18 claims fully accepted, and embodies a completely new concept in measurement excellence.

Gerry Ronan, CEO at Farfield Scientific, comments "Farfield has pioneered the physical characterisation of bio-molecules, one of the most demanding measurement issues in biophysics. These recently-awarded patents, and our vast portfolio of applications pending, underpin our investment in what is a new field of scientific endeavour and confirm our undisputed market lead worldwide. Our protection now encompasses the USA, Europe and the Far East and we are delighted to have been successful in these applications."

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About Farfield Scientific LtdFarfield Scientific is an innovator and global supplier of new analytical instruments that address the emerging and evolving measurement demands of the Surface Science, Nanotechnology and Biophysics communities. These communities provide the most demanding measurement challenges facing research over the next decade.

In Surface Science and Nanotechnology, Farfield develops and markets metrology solutions to the physical scientist, providing unique insights into the structural and functional behaviour of biomolecules, polymers and fine chemicals on a range of surfaces relevant to FMCG industries. Applications also include detailed characterisation of the molecular behaviour of biofilms and biocompatible surfaces, at market-leading levels of sensitivity and resolution.

In Biophysics, Farfield’s proprietary technology is the first that is capable of revealing the intimate and complex, relationship between structural change and function in biological molecules in real time, again at market-leading levels of sensitivity and resolution. Application areas include biophysical characterisation, structural and functional proteomics, biomolecular interaction studies, drug discovery, diagnostic development and biopharmaceutical analysis.

Since being founded in 1997, Farfield’s philosophy of innovation and analytical excellence has created a portfolio of scientific instruments based on quantifiable measurement and rigorous verification rooted in a thorough understanding of the principles of scientific measurement. This philosophy has won Farfield many international awards and support throughout the global research community. Farfield are committed to pursuing the ultimate in measurement at a sub-atomic scale, illuminating the molecular world.